MARTIN O'Neill has paid tribute to Portsmouth on their "incredible" form and believes a bumper Villa Park crowd are in for a footballing treat this weekend.

MARTIN O'Neill has paid tribute to Portsmouth on their "incredible" form and believes a bumper Villa Park crowd are in for a footballing treat this weekend.

Harry Redknapp's side have rattled up five straight away wins in the league and conceded just one goal in their last seven league games since their incredible 7-4 win over Reading in September.

O'Neill says Pompey possess both pace and power and will be a real threat to his hopes of capturing fifth place in the Premier League on Saturday night, which is the reward for three points.

"It promises to be a really good game. They've been incredible," the Villa boss said. "Some of their wins on their travels do justice to any of the top four teams.

"People talk about them as a team containing goals, and that is not without foundation.

"They are very strong physically. The acquisition of Sylvain Distin has been a major boost.

"I thought they were very strong last year when we played them and what they have done is added athleticism to the squad."

O'Neill says their results have been all the more remarkable as they had faced all of the so-called Big Four by mid-September.

They have been held back by three successive 0-0 home draws, and four in the last five league games at Fratton Park.

O'Neill added: "They had a very difficult start to the season, in terms of some of the fixtures they faced, but they came through with flying colours.

"It is a surprise that they have drawn these home games, not least because it followed that amazing 7-4 game against Reading, but despite the draws, my view is that they have done really well.

"Benjani has done great, and John Utaka has given them pace and a dimension to their attacking play that they were maybe looking for.

"The manager has done very well. It will be a hard game."

O'Neill says Redknapp's recent brush with the law as part of the on-going inquiry into alleged financial irregularities will not affect Pompey's preparation.

"It may have been a distraction for the immediate game (against Everton) but by the time they meet us the players will have had plenty of time to get over it," said the Villa boss. "He (Redknapp) is much too experienced to allow any of that to affect his team."